15 Western Short Stories — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE PRONTO KID COMES HOME 81 The sheriff stammered, “You—you mean this-—1t was all an act?” | The Pronto Kid laughed mocking- ly. “Sure it was an act. We worked for that son of yours once and it was his favorite yarn—how him and his old man butchered that beef.” He marched the sheriff back to one of the cells and locked him in. The lawman said, as if to himself, “I oughta known my boy wasn't any damn’ gunman.” There was a foolish grin on Mitch's face and he said, “So long, sucker!” They went out onto the street and the Kid’s lips were tight and thin across his scarred face. They headed for their horses and Mitch said, “I’m sorry I shot off my mouth, but I can’t stand the air in them places.” “Forget it, Mitch.” “Kid, you're a funny one. I never could figure you. Mebbe it’s because I’m just too dumb.” The Kid kept looking straight ahead. “Mitch,” he said, ‘will you keep your damn’ mouth closed?” “Sure, Kid, only I wish wouldn’t be sore at me.” They were near Pop Rayburn’s place when a gunshot suddenly blast- ed the night. They drew up and the Kid’s eyes went to the Blue Mouse Saloon, farther down the street. He saw the doors open and a man came stageering out, clutching at his side. “It kinda looks like that deputy,” Mitch muttered. The Kid watched the man turn down toward them, come stumbling along the plank walk. He came close and he would have fallen, but the Kid ran forward and caught him. There was blood on the front of his shirt and the Kid could tell that he was in a bad way. “Got to get to the sheriff,” he whis- pered. “Got to tell him Anse Belder is comin’ for a showdown.” The wounded deputy tried to get up, but the Kid held onto him, said gently, “Take it easy, fella. We'll help you. But tell me, how come Dave Pringle to give up ranchin’ for a law badge >2” The deputy peered at him, but the Kid knew there was no recognition in you those pain-fogged eyes. The man wet. his lips and finally said, “The drought about broke him, and on top of that, his wife took bad sick. The doc says he can cure her, but the treatments cost money.” They carried the deputy over to the doc’s office and when they were back on the street, Mitch said, “It’s tough, Kid. But we better get outta here.” A lot of noise was coming from the Blue Mouse, and abruptly the swing- doors burst open and half a dozen gun-hung men poured out onto the street, turned and headed for the ja1l. The Pronto Kid stood there a mo- ment, watching them, his lips severe. Then he straightened and hitched at his gun-belt. He said, “Mitch, you better hit your saddle.” Big Mitch frowned. “What fool no- tion you got in your head now?” “Vm goin’ to stick around a while,” the Kid said, and moved to the center of the dark street, started a slow walk toward that yelling pack. A min- ute later, he grinned crookedly as Mitch came pounding up beside him. The big gent growled, “You damn, fool, you wouldn’t stand a chance against them alone.” The Kid kept the grin on his lps, but his eyes stayed on the advancing gunmen. He said out of the side of his mouth, “This ain’t your show, Mitch.” Mitch shook his head. “I wish I was smart. I wish I could figure you.” The Kid put his eyes on the big, swaggering leader of the pack. That would be Anse Belder. He saw the silver belt buckle and he wondered if that wouldn’t be a good target to shoot at. He wondered how a man got all mixed up like he had. Why did he keep following a crooked trail when he knew it was the wrong trail? Why, when he had gotten the itch out of his feet, hadn’t he come back home like he had really wanted to? Too stub- born. Too proud. He heard Mitch saying, “Kid, you see what I do? That long-geared mar- shal is ridin’ into town.” Then Big Mitch had his gun out and red hell broke loose there in the street of Maraposa. Flame stabbed the darkness as hot guns blared their hell call and death screamed and shrieked between the false fronts. The (cont’d on last page CoOLn Gaooks.cO